Tuesday, June 30, 2009

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Thirty-three people were rescued from a vessel taking on water in the vicinity of Suisun Bay near Concord by the Coast Guard, Contra Costa Sherriff’s Department, and the Good Samaritan passenger ferry Intintoli at approximately 1 p.m. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco received a distress call from the motor vessel Farallones, a 85-foot sea scout training vessel, at 11:55 a.m. The vessel had 27 kids and 6 adults onboard. The Farallones reported taking on water with approximately eight inches of water in the bilge. All passengers put on lifejackets. Coast Guard Stations Vallejo and Rio Vista responded with 25-foot rescue boats and an MH-65 rescue helicopter was launched from Air Station San Francisco. The Coast Guard arrived on scene at approximately 12:15 p.m. The passenger ferry Intintoli was in San Pablo Bay when it responded. Once on scene, the rescue boat crews disembarked the 27 kids and two adults and transferred the 29 persons to the ferry Intintoli. Four crewmembers of the Farallones remained aboard the vessel and controlled the flooding. The ferry Intintoli arrived at the ferry terminal at approximately 1:45 p.m., with the 29 rescued passengers aboard. The Farallones is enroute to Alameda Bay Shipping Lot under its own power and will undergo repairs there. The Coast Guard is escorting the vessel the entire way.No injuries have been reported and the Coast Guard will investigate the incident.

Sea Scouts pulled from leaky boat in delta

(06-30) 15:42 PDT CONCORD -- More than two dozen Sea Scouts were rescued by the Coast Guard today after their boat began taking on water in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta near Concord, authorities said.

The crew of the 85-foot SSS Farallon reported that there was eight inches of water in the bilge shortly before noon and sent out a distress call, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Levi Read.

The Coast Guard sent out a helicopter and boats and rescued 33 people, 27 of whom were Sea Scouts, Read said. They were put on a ferry and taken to Vallejo.

The flooding on the Farallon was controlled, and the boat was maneuvering under its own power to Alameda for repairs, Read said. The Coast Guard was escorting the boat.

Dooryard burn permits will not be issued and dooryard burning is not allowed during this period of time. Agricultural vegetation control burns are still authorized with special permits issued from CAL FIRE and Air Quality. Campfire permits are still authorized in designated campfire areas only.

Each year CAL FIRE responds to nearly 1,600 fires started by Californians using equipmentthe wrong way. Whether working to create a defensible space around your home, just mowing the lawn, or pulling your dirt bike over to the side of the road, if you live in a wildland area you need to use all equipment responsibly. Lawn mowers, weed eaters, chain saws, grinders, welders, tractors, and trimmers can all spark a wildland fire. Do your part, the right way, to keep your community fire safe.For tips on how to use equipment the “Right Way”, visit the CAL FIRE website atwww.fire.ca.gov.

Training exercise goes bad: Search and Rescue emergency responders have recovered the body of a man after his raft overturned and he apparently became lodged underwater.

The rescue began sometime after 1600 hrs when the man, along with four or five others, went into the swift water after their raft overturned. The group was part of a training exercise for new river guides.

El Dorado sheriff's SAR members pulled the man out of the water around 2045 hrs. It appears that the victim had his foot stuck in between rocks after he fell off the raft.

IA: Just after 1600hrs -Possible drowning on the American River near Coloma.Location: American River near Coloma.Victim: The male victim was in his twenties, His identity is not being released pending notification of next of kin.

Man drowns rafting American River

Boat tipped over during whitewater training

By Penne Usher Journal Correspondent

A man in his mid 20s drowned late Monday afternoon in the South Fork of the American River during a whitewater rafting guide training.

The victim, whose name is not being released, pending notification of his family, appears to have gotten his leg entrapped and was unable to free himself.

“What it looks like right now is a group of five to six was being guided down the upper portion of the South Fork and they hit Gunsight (rock) at Troublemaker (rapid),” said Lt. Bryan Golmitz of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. “The boat tipped over and the victim and others were thrown out.”

The victim reportedly got lodged about 70 yards down river from the Class III-plus rapid near Coloma around 5 p.m. The force of the water delayed rescue efforts by the El Dorado County Swift Water Rescue Team.

“There was just so much water coming down. We had to contact PG&E to slow the flow,” Golmitz said.

The man’s body was recovered around 8:45 p.m. Monday.

Noah Rucker-Triplett, river recreation supervisor for El Dorado County, said Troublemaker is a “significant” Class III-plus rapid, one of the biggest on the river next to Meat Grinder, however incidents of drowning are rare.

“It’s very rare. We have 100,000 people go down every year and very few drowning,” Rucker-Triplett said.

He pointed out that there is always a risk of danger when on or in moving water.

“That’s the risk of being in the river. If your foot or arm gets stuck it’s a dangerous situation,” Rucker-Triplett said. “You try to keep your feet up and keep them from getting entangled.”

Last year a man fell out of a raft in the same area and also had his leg stuck. Bystanders kept the man’s head above water until rescue workers could free him, officials said. No drownings were reported during the 2008 rafting season along the South Fork of the American River.

“The percentages are really low. I’d still tell people to raft and enjoy the river,” Rucker-Triplett saiD.

Road closures:Highway 16 at County Road 40 - California Highway Patrol closed Highway 16 from Yolo County Road 41 north to Highway 20, about 18 miles from Williams. Highway 16 was to remain off limits into Tuesday

As part of his ongoing commitment to emergency preparedness, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued Executive Order S-12 -09 (EO) to reinforce California’s vigilance in protecting lives and property from wildfire. The EO directs the Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) to ensure that recommendations made by the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Fire Commission, established after California’s catastrophic 2003 wildfire siege, continue to be implemented.

“As we head into the third straight fire season during a drought, California must be prepared to fight devastating wildfires any time of year,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “The state did a great job in quickly responding last year when California was engulfed by 2,000 fires and, with today’s action, we will ensure the state continues to be as prepared as possible when any disaster strikes.”

The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Fire Commission was established in November 2003 by both Governor Schwarzenegger and Governor Gray Davis. In April 2004, the Commission issued 48 recommendations for improving emergency preparedness to prevent and respond to California wildfires.

California has made significant progress in meeting the Commission’s recommendations. More than 100 new engines have been purchased to replace aging CAL FIRE engines; more than 42 new engines have been purchased to replace aging California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) engines; and, 19 additional new engines have been purchased by Cal EMA. The BRTF will work to ensure the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Fire Commission recommendations continue to be implemented.

Additionally today, Governor Schwarzenegger announced the two co-chairs and 14 members of the BRTF. He designated California Professional Firefighters President Lou Paulson and Alameda County Fire Chief Sheldon Gilbert as members and the two co-chairs, and designated State Fire and Rescue Chief Kim Zagaris, Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman, CDF Firefighter IAFF 2881 President Bob Wolf, Ventura County Fire Chief Bob Roper, Orange County Fire Chief Chip Prather, CAL FIRE Director Del Walters, San Diego City Fire Chief Tracy Jarman, Assistant State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover, San Bernardino County Fire Chief Pat Dennen, California State Firefighters Association Member and Riverside City Fire Marshal Mike Esparza, United State Forest Service Region 5 Fire and Aviation Management Director Ed Hollenshead and Governor’s Office Public Safety Liaison Tom Sawyer as members of BRFT.

In preparation for this year’s fire season and dry summer, the Governor also issued Executive Order S-05-09 last month mobilizing the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to secure and deploy additional resources and personnel necessary to save lives and protect homes statewide from wildfires. He also issued a proclamation declaring May 2nd to 9th “Wildfire Awareness Week” to urge all Californians to do their part to prevent wildfires.

The full text of the Governor’s EO is below:EXECUTIVE ORDER S-12-09WHEREAS in October 2003, California suffered one of the most disastrous and deadly fire sieges in the state’s history; andWHEREAS the 2003 fire siege took the lives of 23 civilians and one firefighter, destroyed 3,710 homes, destroyed critical infrastructure, burned over 750,000 acres, significantly impacted the environment, and caused $2.5 billion in damages; andWHEREAS in November 2003 as Governor-Elect, I established the Blue Ribbon Commission with then-Governor Davis to prepare recommendations for policy-makers in the aftermath of the 2003 fire siege to promote a fire safe environment in wildland urban interface areas in response to this deadly firestorm; and WHEREAS after five months of thorough study and research, the commission issued 48 recommendations for improving emergency preparedness to prevent and respond to California wildfires; andWHEREAS following the recommendations, over 100 new engines have been purchased to replace aging California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) engines; andWHEREAS following the recommendations, over 42 new engines have been purchased to replace aging California Emergency Management Agency (CAL EMA) engines; andWHEREAS following the recommendations, 19 of 150 additional Cal EMA new engines have been purchased; andWHEREAS in July 2005, I signed Executive Order S-6-05, allocating significant resources to fulfill Blue Ribbon Fire Commission recommendations including:

$10.8 million annually to replace aging fire engines.

$9 million annually for year-round staffing at fire-season levels in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Orange counties.

$12 million over five years for state-of-the-art radio equipment to increase interoperability among Cal FIRE, federal and local officials; and

WHEREAS in 2006 California began a period of significant drought; andWHEREAS in 2007 California experienced yet another devastating firestorm that took the lives of 10 civilians and seriously burned three firefighters, destroyed 2,233 homes, destroyed critical infrastructure, burned over 500,000 acres, seriously impacted the environment, and caused over $300 million in damages; andWHEREAS inthe 2007 fire siege significantly more lives were saved, significantly more homes were saved and over 200,000 less acres were burned than in the initial 2003 fire siege; andWHEREAS California’s Mediterranean climate lends itself to wildfires, similar catastrophic fires will take place again due to prolonged drought periods, Santa Ana and other significant wind patterns, dry vegetation, a growing population, and residential development in wildland areas; andWHEREAS we need to remain vigilant about continuing our progress in meeting the Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations in order to continue to save lives, property and natural resources in this great state.NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the Constitution and statutes of the State of California, do hereby issue the following orders to become effective immediately:IT IS ORDERED that the Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) is hereby recognized and directed to ensure recommendations set forth in the report of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC) titled “California Fire Prevention and Suppression Action Plan” and dated September 10, 2004, continue to be implemented.IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that task force membership shall include one representative each from the United States Forest Service, Governor’s Office Public Safety Liaison, Cal EMA’s Fire and Rescue Branch, Cal FIRE, State Fire Marshal’s Office, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Orange County Fire Authority, San Bernardino County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, San Diego City Fire Department, California Fire Chiefs’ Association, California Professional Firefighters, California State Firefighters Association and CDF Firefighters.IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that I shall designate two co-chairs from the membership of the BRTF.IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that BRTF members will serve without compensation, and that all costs incurred due to participation shall be borne by the representative’sservice, office, agency, department or association.IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the BRTF shall meet as appropriate to fulfill its functions and shall comply with the open meetings laws of California.IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the BRTF shall submit a written report upon confirmed completion of the BRC recommendations or as ordered by the Governor.IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the BRTF shall disband 30 days after reporting to the satisfaction of the Governor that all recommendations of the BRC have been met, excepting those having projected completion dates of “Ongoing,” or when ordered to by the Governor.I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given to this Order.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 29TH day of June, 2009.

The Shotgun Fire, located in the Golden Trout Wilderness where Shotgun Creek flows into the Little Kern River has grown to 231 acres. The fire is being managed by seventy firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service. The Golden Trout Wilderness, managed by the Forest Service, is located approximately 25 miles northeast of the city of Porterville.

The Shotgun Fire, discovered Tuesday June 23rd, was started by lightning earlier this month. With warming temperatures the fire burned across the Little Kern River and spread towards Camelback Ridge. Firefighters continue their efforts to prevent the fire from burning over Camelback Ridge.

"The Shotgun fire is located near the old Cooney fire from 2003. Like the Cooney fire, the Shotgun Fire is being managed for resource benefit" stated Incident Commander Paul Gibbs. "This fire will help restore the natural ecological processes and reduce future suppression costs," stated Gibbs.

There are no trail closures in the Golden Trout Wilderness but visitors are urged to be cautious when traveling in the area near the fire, alternate routes are recommended. For up-to-date information please contact the Springville office at 559-539-2607.

Yosemite Fires, Update #13, June 29, 2009Fire activity increased over the weekend on the Grouse and Harden fires in Yosemite National Park. The Grouse Fire (250 acres) is about seven miles southwest of Yosemite Valley and north of Glacier Point Road. The Harden Fire (111 acres) is on the north side of the park, west of Harden Lake and northwest of White Wolf. The two fires are being managed to achieve both protection and resource objectives. The objectives for the fires include preventing fire growth outside defined management areas, restoring fire dependent forest systems, managing smoke production, protecting wildlife habitat and preserving cultural and natural resources. To achieve these objectives, fire personnel employ a variety of strategies and techniques such as building fire line, blacklining control lines, using aerial resources when necessary to slow fire progression and monitoring and patrolling.

Sunday, personnel took actions on the Grouse Fire to contain a spot north of Steamboat Ridge. A helicopter dropped buckets of water while crews worked on the ground constructing hand line. On the Harden Fire, personnel scouted areas to begin containing the fire on the east and west sides to allow continued progression. Additional resources will arrive Monday to assist with the management of these fires. Managers are prepared for increased fire activity as hot, dry conditions continue.

Park staff continues to monitor smoke and work closely with Mariposa and Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control Districts to address air quality concerns. Managers have identified actions that will be taken to meet incident objectives and minimize impacts to the park and surrounding communities. Smoky conditions may exist from time to time within the park. Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions to minimize smoke impacts to health. To see air quality data, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htmWilderness Fire Unit:Grouse (37 41.445 x 119 41.017; 6500’, Mariposa Co.), startedMay 30. It is approximately 250 acres. Personnel are working ahead of the fire implementing management actions along Steamboat Ridge to prevent northward fire spread. The fire is visible along Wawona Road (Highway 41) and Glacier Pt. Road. Temporary road closures may be enacted for visitor safety.

Harden (37 53.624 x 119 42.221; 7800’, Tuolumne Co); Lightning-caused, probably on June 8. It is north of White Wolf, west of Harden Lake and within the 1996 Ackerson fire perimeter. It is 111 acres and burning mostly in brush and Red Fir. Fire officials are assessing the need for closures around Harden Lake, Smith Peak and the old Aspen Valley Rd.

Indian Creek (.1 ac, 37 46.449 x 119 35.150; 7400’, Mariposa Co) Started May 30. It is about one mile north of the rim of the Valley, in needle litter and down trees and inactive at this time. It has low to moderate growth potential. Occasional smoke is visible.Mono(37 40 24.24 x 119 45 19.45, Mariposa Co), started May 18 and is currently inactive. It has low to moderate potential for growth. Smoke is occasionally visible from the Glacier Pt. Road.

Suppression Unit:Cottonwood (37 5413.68 119 4741.64, Tuolumne Co), started May 18. As of May 27, 2009 the Cottonwood Fire was controlled at 96 acres. This fire has not shown any activity in several days.

Between June 1 and June 25, 2009, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has identified eight confirmed cases of pertussis in the South Santa Barbara County Community. Individuals range in age from 1 month to 49 years, with five in the adolescent to teen years.

Residents are urged to see their medical providers if they exhibit the symptoms of pertussis.

Whooping cough - known medically as pertussis - is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection that is spread by coughing and sneezing. Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, whooping cough may eventually turn more serious, particularly in infants, and it is most contagious before the coughing starts. After 1-2 weeks, the symptoms may progress to a stage characterized by bursts of numerous rapid coughs (paroxysms) that can result in vomiting and exhaustion. A final recovery stage with coughing may last weeks or months. Complications of adult pertussis occur rarely, but infants are at the highest risk as they can develop apnea, pneumonia, seizures, and even death. Please see your health care provider should you or your child have these symptoms.

Although pertussis vaccine coverage among children in Santa Barbara County is high, Dr. Elliot Schulman, Santa Barbara County Health Officer, reminds us there are still some vulnerable and susceptible individuals who are unimmunized due to illness, being underage for vaccination, or those who choose not to immunize themselves or their children. Outbreaks of pertussis, a vaccine preventable disease, highlight the need to ensure all children and adults are up-to-date with their vaccinations. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends receiving DTaP at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 15 months for the primary series of vaccinations with a booster shot at 4-5 years. It is also now recommended that adolescents receive a Tdap booster at 11-12 years and all adults 19-64 years receive one to replace a single dose of Td.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Orange County Fire Authority Purchases Two New Bell 412 Helicopters

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) has taken delivery of two new Bell 412 Helicopters, replacing two 1966 Bell UH-1's, which the fire department acquired in 1995 through the Federal Excise Program. At a cost of $10.5 million each, these helicopters are the agency's first brand new firefighting aircraft.

According to Captain Dave Lopez, the Orange County Fire Authority's Air Operations Crew Chief, members of his fire department visited several other local agencies, including Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County and San Diego Fire-Rescue, to get a feel for how their firefighting helicopters were configured. With this information, they were able to create state-of-the-art specifications for their new units.

Dual Engines

One major safety difference between the two Bell 412's and their predecessors is that they have dual engines that are rated so that if one of them failed, the helicopter could still hover and complete aerial firefighting and rescue missions safely. The UH-1's were not able to do this, and according to Jim Davidson, an OCFA Helicopter Pilot, an engine failure would cause the aircraft to go down.

From a mechanic's point of view the dual engines do create some extra work, as John Wilson, a Senior Helicopter Maintenance Technician explains, "There are two engines, so it's a lot more work engine-wise. What's easy on one side is twice as hard on the other side because all of this stuff that is easy to get to here is on the inside of the aircraft and you can't get to it. So there's really just the engine and the gearbox back there that make up the big difference for this helicopter."

Night Vision Goggles

Another safety upgrade to the Bell 412's is that they have been equipped with a night vision goggle system. Like San Diego Fire-Rescue, Orange County Fire Authority is now able to perform night water drops during wildfire season and can also perform night rescues. Pilot Jim Davidson explains the important advantages of having this system in place, saying, "With the new aircraft, we've upgraded to night vision goggles, and it's turned night into day. So you have a smaller area to look at - it's a 40 degree circle to look at and it's only green and white - but you can see the definition of the trees and you can see the towers with the wires on it. And on a moonless night you have the ability to see the ground and fly and make landings and take-offs. We didn't have that capability before...with the goggles, five miles away, you can hold a cell phone and we can see it. Before we'd search for half an hour or an hour and not even find you."

Rotors

The Bell 412's also have four rotors, while the UH-1's have only two. These rotors enable the pilots to handle wind conditions more stably. This is especially important in Orange County, where Santa Ana winds can be violent. Firefighters in Southern California are all too aware of the fact that Santa Ana winds are lead contributors to the spread of wildfires and at times make aerial firefighting difficult. Thus, the addition of the four-rotor helicopters is a welcome upgrade in an area where wildfires have been devastating in the past.

Avionics Equipment

The cockpits of the 412's have been outfitted with the newest innovations in avionics equipment. They have been configured so that the helicopters can serve as the command center for all aerial operations during a wildfire or rescue. Captain Lopez explains, "Some of the unique features are the Avalex Mapping System that allows us to have a moving map display in topographic maps, street maps, and flight maps. We can switch between them. We can do fire perimeter mapping with it. We can quickly pinpoint where it is we are going and what we are looking for." A Garmin GPS moving map system has also been tied into the traffic avoidance system showing the pilots where other aircraft are in relation to their ship.

Seating, Rescue Hoist and Belly Tanks

The seating in the Bell 412's can be configured for a multitude of missions. Captain Lopez says, "We can put a lot of seats in it to transport people. We can take out seats and put litter kits in it so we can transport up to six patients if need be for an emergency evacuation."

There have also been some aftermarket additions to the helicopters to make them ready for fire and rescue operations. A rescue hoist with 280 feet of cable which can be deployed at 260 feet per minute is mounted on the helicopters. A video camera has also been place over the hoist to record everything that happens during rescue operations. These videos can be downloaded for training purposes. Finally, a belly tank with a foam injection system has been mounted on both aircraft for water drops. These tanks hold 360 gallons of water and can be filled on the ground, or the helicopters can hover and fill up with a snorkel system in 45 seconds.

Both helicopters are now in service, and their predecessors will remain in the fleet to serve as back-up in the case of a large wildfire.

BIG BEND — Fire crews held a wildfire in heavy timber near Big Bend Road this afternoon to five acres.

The fire was declared contained at 5:45 p.m., about three hours after it was spotted by a Shasta-Trinity National Forest lookout, said Mark Mack, a fire captain with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Lightning more than a week ago caused the fire that smoldered until flaring up Sunday, Mack said.

Three air tankers, two helicopters, four 20-person hand crews, six fire engines and four water tenders fought the blaze in isolated, thick timber, Mack said.

The Great Mall of the Bay Area in Milpitas was evacuated Sunday after a transformer explosion about one block away cut power to some of the stores.1,925 without power.A woman was trapped in an elevator for some time but she has been rescued safely.

Initial sizeup: Local Govt BC at scene reporting 10 acres in the grass on both sides of Milton Road, Moderate rate of spread. Light winds in the area and temps over 100Location:Rock Creek Landfill Milton Road, Hunt Ranch Road X McCarty Mine RoadTCU dispatching High Dispatch to a reported fire at the Rock Creek Landfill off Hunt Road and Milton.

Location: Los Angeles County, Gorman area - Peace Valley Road, Fire is by Hungry Valley OHV area - southwest of Gorman. Angeles National ForestI Sizeup: 1205 hrs - The fire appeared to have started in brush adjacent to Peace Valley Road, about a quarter mile south of the Hungry Valley State OHV Park entrance.30 acres per Kern Battalion 5 Fire is moving north and westIC: State ParkResources: KRN and VNC working the fire currently, KRN sending Crew 82Current conditions: Current Conditions From AWS WeatherNet Weather Station at Frazier Park ES in Frazier Park, CA

Yosemite National Park Fire Update The Grouse and Harden fires in Yosemite National Park have resumed growing after several inactive days due to rain and cloudy, cool conditions. Now that a high pressure system has returned with high temperatures and low humidity, activity has increased on the fires. Personnel are actively managing the fires to achieve specific protection and resource objectives.

The protection of human life and property is the top priority for Yosemite’s fire management staff, as well as the preservation of natural and cultural resources, and the preservation and restoration of fire-dependent ecosystems. Each fire is managed individually to achieve one or more objectives in the safest, most efficient and cost-effective way possible. Strategies employed to meet these objectives may include full suppression, containment line building, use of natural barriers, monitoring, and other management techniques.

Park staff continues to monitor smoke and work closely with Mariposa and Tuolume County Air Pollution Control Districts to address air quality concerns. Managers have identified actions that will be taken to meet incident objectives and minimize impacts to the park and surrounding communities. Smoky conditions may exist from time to time within the park. Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions to minimize smoke impacts to health. To see photos showing air quality, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/photosmultimedia/webcams.htmWilderness Fire Zone:Grouse(37 41.445 x 119 41.017; 6500’, Mariposa Co.)The fire began May 30, and has grown to approximately 75 acres. Personnel are working ahead of the fire implementing management actions along Steamboat Ridge to prevent northward fire spread. On Sunday, personnel will take measures to hold the fire in Grouse Creek drainage. The fire is visible along Highway 41 and temporary road closures may be enacted for visitor safety.

Harden (37 53.624 x 119 42.221; 7800’, Tuolumne Co); Lightning-caused, probably on June 8. It is north of White Wolf, west of Harden Lake and within the 1996 Ackerson fire perimeter. It is 20 acres and burning mostly in brush and Red Fir. Fire officials are assessing the need for closures around Harden Lake, Smith Peak and the old Aspen Valley Rd.

Indian Creek (.1 ac, 37 46.449 x 119 35.150; 7400’, Mariposa Co) Started May 30. It is about one mile north of the rim of the Valley, in needle litter and down trees and inactive at this time. It has low to moderate growth potential. Occasional smoke is visible.Mono (37 40 24.24 x 119 45 19.45, Mariposa Co), started May 18 and is currently inactive. It has low to moderate potential for growth. Smoke is occasionally visible from the Glacier Point Road. The Smith, Lehamite, Whitethorn, Pit and Dark Hole fires are out.

Suppression Zone:Cottonwood (37 5413.68 119 4741.64, Tuolumne Co), started May 18. As of May 27, 2009 the Cottonwood Fire was controlled at 96 acres. This fire has not shown any activity in several days.

Update: 6-27-09 0800hrs - Fire was actively burning in the last Operational period. It is currently 26 acres burning in dead or down timber.

Location: Incident located in vicinity of Grouse Creek, Yosemite National Park between White Wolf and Aspen Valley.Fire potential: Grouse incident has a potential for moderate spread. Both fires burned actively putting up a lot of smoke, fires are being allowed to spread naturally, however they are being confined using natural barriers and minimum impact fire line construction.Weather: Triple digit temps are forecasted for Yosemite Valley.Closures: Laurel Lakes basin is currently closed as is Miguel Meadow to Laurel Lake Trail. Visitors to the area as asked to use caution while traveling in the areas. All of the park areas are open with no restrictions.Notes: Incident continues to be managed to achieve resource benefits.Additional Yosemite Fire - Harden CA-YNP-001659 this incident is 1 acre in size, burning in dead or down timber. Ground resources continue to monitor as both fires (Grouse, Harden)

Update: 1330hrs - (2) Texas Canyon Hotshots based near Santa Clarita headed to assist with Fairview Fire in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National ParksUpdate: 1230hrs - (1) Incident is requesting a Type 1 and an additional Type 2 Helicopter.SQF has committed Engines 22,24,31,42,44,46 and BLM 3134.The 2 air tankers are on a load and return from Porterville. SNF H520 and support units were off Trimmer about 1000 enroute to the Fairview Helispot.Arroyo Grande IHC enrouteLos Padres IHC enroute On the McNalley, Base Camp was at the R Ranch in Johnsonville.

News and notes: 0900hrs - Fairview Incident CA-SQF-002098 Fire located in the Fairview Campground area 20 miles north of Kernville. Fire began early this morning and is approximately 100 acres.Ground resources and aircraft are attempting to slow the forward rate of spread as fire is burning in dead and down fuels in the old McNalley fire perimeter (2002).Access to area is limited. 1 air tactical, 1 lead plane, 1 Type 3 air tanker, 1 Type 1 helitanker and 1 Type 2 helicopter and 3 Type 1 hand crews(HS) currently assigned. On order are 1 additional Type 2 helicopter and 1 additional heavy air tanker.Update: 0900hrs - Reported 75-100 Acres with no containment. IC is requesting a Type 1 and an additional Type 2 Helicopter.

IA: 22:00 last night - Report of vegetation fire.Location: Fairview Campground on Mountain 99 North of Kernville in Tulare County. Fire is on the West side of the Kern River with the origin area having little to no road access.This area is close to where the McNally Fire 02' started.Resources: SQF has committed Engines 22,24,31,42,44,46 and BLM 3134.Committed hand crews are Fulton, Rio Bravo, Fulton, Breckenridge, BBD-Kern Valley, Horseshoe, and ANF-Texas Canyon.Aircraft: Air tankers are on a load and return from Porterville.H-523 SQF Helicopter committedCause: Fireworks investigationWebcam: Sherman Peak #6

Saturday, June 27, 2009

SAR- David Davis, left his campsite at Clear Creek Campground Wednesday at about 12:30 p.m. to go gold panning alone. A family friend reported Davis missing Thursday afternoon on behalf of his wife, who had been camping with him.

Update: 1800 hrs - JOY -An air ambulance is reportedly flying the victim to the Mercy Medical Center in Redding.

Update: 1630 hrs - Victim located - Gold panner found after four days in the wilderness areas around French Gulch - Hoist rescue in progress to lift the man out of a rugged canyon and he appeared awake and alert.

Last Seen Location: Campground off Trinity Mountain Road near French Gulch.

Search Op's: Active SAR Search started 6 p.m. Thursday. Thick tree cover hampered efforts search the terrain by air., The sheriff’s office has 30 searchers looking for Davis today, said Lt. Anthony Bertain. Helping the sheriff’s search and rescue team is Trinity County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and a U.S. Forest Service fire crew.Terrain: Very rugged, Heavy Tree cover, Limited cell phone receptionVictims description: David Davis 61-years-old, who reportedly has a heart condition, is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He was last scene wearing a blue baseball cap, blue jeans and an unknown color shirt.

Updated Funeral services: The services for BLM Capt. Brett Stearns will be Wednesday at 11 AM. at the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, 1295 W. Ninth St., in Craig, Colorado.A firefighter with the Bureau of Land Management died Friday in Colorado after a tree fell on him. Brett Stearns, 29, of Craig was working on a hazard tree abatement project with a dozen other BLM firefighters at Freeman Reservoir, about 15 miles northeast of Craig, when the accident happened around 4:30 p.m.Stearns died at the scene. Stearns was an engine captain and worked in the BLM's Little Snake Field Office for 10 years. "He dedicated his life to protecting the lives and property of the public," said Little Snake Field manager, John Husband.The accident is being investigated by a federal accident investigation team, Husband added.Stearns is survived by his wife; parents, one brother and a half sister.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Students from the Tracy Learning Center beat the heat by frolicking under a jet of water coming from Tracy Fire’s Truck 91 to celebrate the next to last day of school Thursday.

Students were treated to a "Water Day" filled with small pools, water slides and a visit from the firefighters who used the nozzle on the truck to cool off the students before heading out to summer break.

A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department helicopter lifts off from the UCLA Medical Center, carrying the body of Michael Jackson to the morgue (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

TMZ got their hands on the audio from the 911 call yesterday from Michael Jackson's rental home in Holmby Hills. They never identify the 50-year-old man who is not breathing as Jackson, but do say that a doctor is there present with him:

That doctor, by the way, was being sought by police for questioning, He's Dr. Conrad Murray, 51, a cardiologist from Las Vegas. The police investigation is routine, the LAPD said in a statement released last night, but they did impound the doctor's parked on Jackson's property.

When EMTs arrived, they apparently wanted to pronounce Jackson dead, but Murray refused to let them "call it," according to TMZ who also says a family source believes Jackson died from his daily Demerol injection. A video shown on TV last night of the ambulance backing out of Jackson's driverway showed EMTs calmly, but slowly, backing out of the driveway.

San Francisco supervisors budget committee To Cut $6 Million from Fire Department during the next fiscal year.

“Station 2 would be the first engine company browned out, followed by Station 21 on Grove Street. I don’t want to go there,” she said, “but I feel compelled to just let you know that’s where we’re at, supervisors.”- Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White

Despite dire warnings that staffing levels at San Francisco fire houses would be lower every day the supervisors budget committee proceeded to to take an axe to the SFFD budget.

Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White’s pleas to leave public safety alone went unheeded.The budget committee continues its work next week.

IA: 6-25-09 0800hrs Shotgun Fire SQF-002025 - 5 acresLocation: Golden Trout Wilderness, fire is burning in litter, branches, slash & timber with the forward rate of spread slowed on the head of the fire. The bottom heal of fire is still creeping in ground fuels, however fire has hit a green belt and slowed. The Incident commander continues to monitor fires progression and intensity. The fire is being managed for resource benefits

TEMPERATURES WILL WARM RAPIDLY ON SATURDAY AS AN AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS STRONGLY OVER CALIFORNIA AND LIGHT OFFSHORE FLOW DEVELOPS. HOT TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE ON SUNDAY AS WELL.HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO REACH THE 90S TO AS HIGH AS 101. OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURES ON SATURDAY NIGHT WILL ONLY DROP INTO THE UPPER 50S TO AROUND 70 DEGREES.

Instruction:A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. THIS WILL CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:

STAY HYDRATED! DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS.

STAY IN AN AIR CONDITIONED ROOM

STAY OUT OF THE SUN

CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO HEAT ASK FOR A FRIEND OR RELATIVE TO CHECK ON YOU FREQUENTLY.

WEAR LIGHTWEIGHT... LIGHT COLORED ... LOOSE-FITTING CLOTHING.

WEAR A HAT TO SHIELD YOURSELF FROM THE SUN.

YOUNG CHILDREN AND PETS SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT IN VEHICLES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES DURING WARM OR HOT WEATHER.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Large header seen from Anderson Valley towards Chico yesterday -Smoke plume near Inskip is Lassen National Forest prescribed burn

INSKIP — A large plume of smoke about a mile and half east of Inskip may have alarmed some ridge residents, but only a prescribed fire.

What: 25-acre controlled or prescribed burn is being conducted by the Lassen National Forest.The "prescribed burn" is being conducted out of the Almanor Ranger District. When: It was ignited at 8 a.m. Wednesday and was expected to burn for two to four days, Cal Fire spokeswoman Mary Ann Aldrich said.Smoke notes: Smoke was expected to travel north and west.This was the second control burn in the area this week.On Monday, a plume of smoke was seen billowing from the Berry Creek area.9 a.m. Thursday The Plumas National Forest said it was only burning off under-story brush on a 30 acre section of forest in an area near Oro Quincy Highway and Bald Rock Road.

RIP Farrah Fawcett: Pinup girl of the 1970's and "Charlie's Angels" star Farrah Fawcett dies after a long battle with cancer.

Farrah Fawcett: Forever YoungGeneration X's favorite pinup

The Poster: Farrah Leni Fawcett-Majors (at the time, her hyphenation made her seem only more unattainable and therefore, more desirable) was also a guardian angel of sorts, watching us from the walls of our bedrooms, listening as we stumbled through first forays into adulthood: young love, illicit sips of beer. It was easy to pretend that the radiant blond with the mouthful of pearly whites was tossing her head back and effortlessly laughing at something we'd said.

It's impossible to imagine a poster today being as beguiling and mysterious. The photo seemed as if it had been taken almost surreptitiously (on a beach in Cancun?), a woven blanket in the background. The rustred one-piece swimsuit seemed damp and noticeably cool, and a thin gold chain around her neck dipped into her décolletage. She was seated, her left arm resting on her left knee, her left hand tousling her own hair, her head tilted back at a 45-degree angle from the camera, a smile so wide and bright that by today's standards it's full-on caricature. The shot looks ever so slightly exploded -- as if someone had enlarged what should have been a much smaller print.

Today we know that the poster image was shot by freelance photographer Bruce McBroom on behalf of a now-defunct Ohio company called Pro Arts Inc., using a Nikon-F camera. He took it in early 1976 near the pool at the Bel-Air home Fawcett-Majors shared with her then-husband, when she was 29 and had not yet made her TV debut as "Charlie's Angels" crime fighter Jill Munroe (that debut came on Sept. 22, 1976, around the same time the poster was released).

There was no stylist -- Fawcett-Majors did her own hair and makeup. And the Indian-blanket backdrop was a last-minute addition the photographer grabbed from the front seat of his '37 Chevy. The subject of the photos decided which shot would become the poster. She would eventually own the copyright to the image as well.

By March 1977, it had sold 5 million copies. Today that number is north of 12 million, and no one else of her era has come close to being a swimsuited paragon of pinup pulchritude -- not Bo Derek running the beach to the strains of Ravel's "Bolero," not Cheryl Tiegs in her see-through fishnet suit and not Pamela Anderson and her pneumatic ilk prancing through the waves. In 2007, GQ magazine named the poster "the most influential piece of men's art of the last 50 years," and a copy of it is among the holdings of the Smithsonian.

But for years now, she's been enshrined someplace much more intimate and meaningful: in the bedrooms, prom pictures and salon chairs of an entire generation that grew up with a definition of female beauty defined by the blond with the tousled mane and megawatt smile.She will always be our favorite Angel.

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****REMINDER**** Every fire has the ability to be catastrophic. The wildland fire management environment has profoundly changed. Growing numbers of communities, across the nation, are experiencing longer fire seasons; more frequent, bigger, and more severe, fires are a real threat. Be careful with all campfires and equipment.View blog top tags---------------------

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How fires get their names

Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state.
In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire
will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can
also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start –
a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly
naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and
allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name.
For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest
wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was
named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old
Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was
named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.
CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States.
CDF - CAL FIRE Firefighters answer the call more than 300,000 times a year. CAL FIRE Firefighters make up the fire department for 30 of our 58 counties in California and more than 100 local communities. We serve as the incident command during many of California’s most serious disasters. CAL FIRE Firefighters respond to many various types and forms of calls ranging from structural fires, to auto accidents, to earthquakes, to floods, to the spilling of hazardous materials, to every conceivable disaster; CAL FIRE answer's the calls.
CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States .CAL FIRE firefighters protect 33 million acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA). We have over 4,000 members within CAL FIRE and CAL FIRE is associated with the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).

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